código 1530: tell no one
experiential concepting | experiential copywriting | prop sourcing + styling | event production
for generations, the Código 1530 code was kept in the shadows. everything from its customs to tequila recipes were reserved only for those in the know. now, for the first time ever, Código1530 is opening up their world to celebrate discovery over secrecy and share their values of tradition, family, and craftsmanship.
for the “Tell No One” fall 2024 event, our goal was to unveil the Código1530 story in a splashy way that cuts through traditional industry & trade-focused initiatives and elevate the theme of secrecy to places it’s never gone before. and what better way to bring to this life than with a secret society-inspired experience?
we invited our inner circle — NYC’s top agave-focused bartenders and influential trade members — to join us at the Apotheke NoMad for an intimate evening of cocktails, mysteries, and rituals inspired by the Código1530 code.
the invitation
to summon our secret society members, we created interactive invitations that required guests to strategically fold the invite and decode cryptic arrangements of letters & numbers to reveal the event details. each invite was letter-pressed onto luxury card stock, featuring a gold wax seal of the iconic Código1530 cross.
the tequila tastings
to kick-off the evening, guests participated in guided Código1530 tastings, with a welcome address from CEO Federico “Fede” Vaughan. not only was this a chance to savor some ultra-premium sipping tequilas, but it served as a hands-on way to deliver product education and showcase the rich stories and unique traditions behind every drop of Código1530.
the cocktail menu
naturally, one of the perks of being the resident copywriter is getting the chance to play with cocktail names — who doesn’t love that? to channel the clandestine spirit of Código1530, all libations took on discreet names: SECRET OATH, PRIVATE AFFAIR, CODE OF SILENCE, and SHOT IN THE DARK.
fun fact: Survivor (yes, the tv series) may or may not have inspired me to come up with that last drink name…
game on
in order to become inducted into the Código1530 code, all guests had to solve a cryptex puzzle scavenger hunt game. using a collection of clues that we methodically hid around the space, folks teamed up to decipher riddles, uncover letters, and discover six hidden clues. to unlock the cryptex puzzle, they had to unscramble the letters and input the correct six-letter word to unlock the mysterious artifact inside…
unlocking the secret
as guests solved the cryptex puzzle, they’ll discover that “ORIGEN” is the correct 6-letter word needed to unlock the cryptex. inside the unlocked cryptex was a paper scroll, revealing that Código1530’s secret to award-winning tequila is its Extra Añejo Origen, one of the oldest and richest añejos in the tequila market. guests were then directed to the bar to enjoy tastings of this extraordinary elixir.
the farewell gift
to commemorate our new members of the Código1530 family, we blessed each and every guest with a parting gift: branded Zippo lighters, matchbooks, and palo santo bundles so that they can always carry the spirit of Código1530 wherever they go.